State v. Kuchera

In State v. Artwell, 177 N.J. 526, 832 A.2d 295 (2003), this Court considered the related questions of whether witnesses tendered by the defense in a criminal case could be required to appear either in restraints or in prison garb. In respect of the former, this Court determined that “[b]ecause the appearance of a defense witness in restraints presents a risk of unfair prejudice to a defendant, the trial court may subject a witness to physical restraint only when it has reason to believe it is necessary to maintain the security of the courtroom.” Id. at 537, 832 A.2d 295 (citation and…